Washing down the counter top, she gazed outside her window to the backyard. She remembered when it was full of running around children and toys. However now the play-set that was once set up had been removed, the toys given away and the only thing that remained was the small tree swing that she still found Raine sitting on some days to think.
She missed when her kids were little, she missed when her nephews and niece was little. She felt like she blinked and her entire world was grown up and moving on with their lives and she hated she was alone. Spinning the gold band on her finger she studied the engraving and felt her heart tightened. It amazed her after all these years just the thought of him made her get the same giddy feeling she felt when she was just fifteen. That she still loved him as much today as she did the very first time he kissed her. It amazed her how one person could complete your world so much and she wondered how people got by without having the person they loved. She of course understood to a point but she had her happy ending. She felt bad for the people who never got it.
"Hey," two arms snaked around her waist and an all too familiar feeling popped up in her.
"Oh my god!" she spun around throwing her arms around his neck. "You're home," she held him close almost as if he might disappear.
"Yeah, I get the weekend," he told her and felt her frown. "It's only a few more weeks," he whispered in her hair and she nodded. "Then I get to come home for a few months."
"I know," she pulled back, missing looking into those blue eyes, the look of love. "I just missed you."
"I missed you too," he dropped his head to kiss her. Feeling as if he hadn't in months and hating that fact. He hated not seeing her every day, waking up beside her, good just looking at her. He wasn't at all good at not being around her. "And you just wait until I get you alone tonight," he smirked and a chill ran down her spine.
"Oh I'm very excited for that," she grinned leaning up and catching his mouth back with hers.
"Uh oh, hope your dad doesn't find this out," Bevin teased walking into her friend's kitchen. The pair pulling apart laughing.
"What?" Raine rounded the corner and her whole face lit up. "Daddy!" she squealed running up to him and throwing her arms around him. The last three weeks of him not being home being way too much for her. "You're home!"
"I'm home," he chuckled pulling back to look at her. "And my little Princess has grown up."
"Dad, it's been three weeks," she laughed shaking her head.
"I know, I think you are taller," he tip on his toes and she laughed.
"I've missed you," she hugged him again, her mom sending her a wink when she glanced at her. "Please tell me you are home until next season," she begged, pulling back and he frowned.
"I'm sorry baby girl, just a few days," he told her and she frowned. "But I brought you something," he walked over to his back bag and dug through it for the gift. "Your brother saw it and thought you might like it. He wanted to come home but he couldn't get away with school and practice."
"It's ok," she waved her hand. "I will call him later. Now give me, give me," she begged like a child and he laughed grabbing the gift.
"Here you go crazy girl," he handed it over with a smile. "It's nothing big so don't get to excited," he warned her and she rolled her blue eyes.
"Thank you," she snatched it, and ripped the pretty gold paper off. "Daddy…" she grinned looking down that a silver twist ring with and aquamarine stone. "It's so pretty."
"Yeah, we saw it the other day after a game and got it. We know your obsession with rings," he teased and she rolled her eyes.
"Raine, that is gorgeous," Bevin commented looking over her friend's shoulder at the ring. "That brother of yours…Mmm… so hot!" she smirked and they let out a laugh as Raine gagged.
"Gross Bev, but it is really gorgeous."
"Yeah, apparently it's like a purity ring," he said and Raine's mouth ran dry as her friend let out a laugh she tried to cover with a cough and her mom glanced down at the floor.
"Oh…" Raine looked back down at the ring, feeling like it was going to burn her finger or something. "Well that's…awesome…"
"Raine, I'm kidding," he laughed and his daughter let out a long breath. "It was just something we found. Nothing to do with purity which I'm sure wouldn't matter right?"
"Of course daddy," she gave an innocent smile and he nodded, moving over to the kitchen to make a snack.
"That thing would burn your skin," Bevin teased low and Raine smacked her arm.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!" Both girls answered and the dark haired woman laughed. She wasn't stupid and she knew neither was the man on the other side of the kitchen. Their daughter dated Ben almost a year, hell Raine talked to her mother about it, thought she would never mention it to her husband. That was just asking for trouble. Yet he wasn't stupid, with the looks those two always shared and all the times Raine slept over at Bevin's he had to know.
"Dad will you make some coffee?" Raine hopped up on the stole, Bevin dropping down beside her.
"You have a problem Ray," he shook his head with a chuckle.
"You know I learned at school there is actually a gene in some people that makes them crave coffee more than others," Bevin informed them, suddenly falling back into the comfort of the household. She was afraid Raine's whole family would hate her but they were so relaxed and chilled. So far treated her the exact same. "So Raine's crazy coffee addiction is genetic. Passed down to her by someone," she tossed a glance between the couple.
"I'll make the coffee," he agreed, pouring the water in the pot.
"So daddy," Raine leaned on the counter top as he made her drink. "Are you going to tell me any of the story?"
"What story?" Bevin asked, giving a yes to when asked if she wanted a cup also.
"Mom is telling me a love story and I think I know who it's about," she cut her eyes between her parent's and her mom laughed shaking her head. "And side note dad you are kinda an ass."
"Yeah, whatever," he flipped his hand completely aware of that.
"So tell me…"
"I never said it was a true story Raine," her mother pointed out and Raine rolled her eyes.
"I'm not stupid, Kitty," she joked, always finding that name so weird but her mom using it in the story. "So Matt," she cut her eyes to her dad who had his back to her and put the amazing smelling coffee into the filter. "What happens after the drunken night at college?"
"Which one?" he teased, smirking at his wife.
"I don't know, but there was a Johnny," she told him and he groaned.
"Not the best party," he very much remembered that night. It ended nice but most of it made him mad and want to punch something.
"So what happened next?"
"Umm…" he ran his hand through his hair trying to think of anything that his wife might want to share. "I guess the ball game…?"
"I'm coming!" Brooke jumped up from her couch and moved towards her front door. Yanking it open to reveal someone she wasn't expecting. "Luke?" her brows creased looking at him. "What are you doing here?"
"Aw I can't come see my favorite girl?" he teased, stepping passed her and into the house. "Maybe I've just missed you like crazy," he joked, grabbing her hips and yanking her close.
"Oh really?" she raised a brow, placing her hands on his chest. "How much you miss me Broody Boy?"
"Oh so much Pretty Girl," he grinned. "Why not we go upstairs and I show you?" he smirked and her pulse raced.
"Oh promise?" she wiggled her brows and he chuckled.
"You're so adorable," he dropped a kiss to her forehead and released her.
"I know," she playfully pushed him back and moved towards the kitchen. "But really, why are you in my house?"
"What? I'm not allowed to just stop by?" he followed her into the kitchen and dropped down on the stool.
"I haven't seen you in almost three months and now you just stop by?" she poured her a cup of coffee before turning to face him. "Oh my god!"
"What?"
"Are you pregnant? Lucas, we just made out, I don't think I could have gotten you pregnant. I want a test because it is not mine," she joked and he chuckled.
"I guess I will have to raise him or her all on my own," he frowned and she laughed skipping over to him and pulling herself up on the counter. "But no, I'm going to a baseball game with Clay."
"Clay?" she looked at him confused. "My Clay?"
"Do you know another?"
"No, I just didn't know you two hung out that much," she frowned a bit not liking that Clay got to see more of Lucas then she did. Yeah they talked a lot, well sorta. They would pass text messages some and occasionally talk on the phone. However Lucas had this annoying habit of calling her house instead of her cell so she always seemed to miss it and when she called back he wouldn't answer. It drove her nuts.
"Hey," he tilted her chin up to look at him. "What's up?"
"Nothing," she shook away the jealous feeling of her own brother and sipped her drink.
"Are you and Nick alright?" he asked referring to Brooke's boyfriend of the last three months. He really didn't care for that guy that much, not that he would ever tell Brooke that. Something about him he just really didn't trust.
"Oh yeah," she flipped her hand in the air. "I just…"
"Just what?"
"It's dumb…" she shook her head and he stood up.
"It's not dumb if something is bothering you," he tilted her chin to look at him. "What's going on Pretty Girl?"
"I just didn't know you and Clay were that close. I mean you two hang out and go to baseball games but I just get an occasional text and a phone call once a month to tell me you're still alive?"
"I…I'm sorry," he apologized not knowing it bothered her that much. "You can come today if you want. I had an extra ticket for Nate but he can't come."
"No, it's ok. I doubt you two want to babysit me," she knocked his hand away and jumped off the counter.
"Hey…" he caught her wrist and spun her back to face him. "Don't be like that, just chill."
"Don't tell me to chill Lucas, you know I hate that," her teeth clutched slightly hating that word. It literally made her skin crawl every time she heard it. She just figured if she wanted to be annoyed she wanted to be annoyed and didn't want someone telling her to chill.
"I know," he retreated back his anger; hating fighting was almost like a hobby for them. "Just…" he pulled her a little closer to him. "Just come today, I want to catch up. I haven't seen you in forever."
"Whose fault is that?" she snapped and his eyes gave her that warning look she hated. "Sorry…"
"Brooke!" Clay called from up the stairs. "Your cell is going off. I think its Nick!"
"Ok," she called back taking a step back from Lucas. "I'll be right back," she moved around him and he nodded as she walked out the room.
"That girl drives me insane," he rolled his eyes, dropping back down in his chair.
"Do I smell coffee?" Clay walked into the kitchen.
"Yeah, Brooke made her some," he told her, scratching his brow.
"That girl has a problem," he laughed, grabbing his wallet off the counter. "You alright?"
"Yeah man," Lucas ran his hand over the counter and leaned back in the chair.
"Ok," Clay watched him a moment before ignoring it. He knew what it was, he wasn't an idiot. He knew the brooding blonde was nuts about his little sister. He wasn't so sure he liked it at all because even if as a friend Lucas was great he wasn't so sure how great of a boyfriend he would be. Lucas seemed more to fly by the seat of his pants; do stuff and hoped it turned out right and some of the things he was into he did not want his sister around. However he also knew Lucas never really went after his sister so for now he just let it be. "Hey B," he nodded at the girl and let out a small laugh at how the blonde perked up a little and glanced at his little sister.
"Everything alright?" Lucas asked concerned not liking the look on her face. Not really sure if it was because of the little bickering between them or something Nick had done.
"Yeah I'm fine. Nick and I were supposed to hang out but something came up," she shrugged dropping her phone on the counter.
"Cool, that means you can come with us."
"Luke, I told you that you two don't have to babysit me," Brooke repeated shaking her head.
"Will you quit being stubborn," Lucas stood up walking over to you. "It will be fun. So go put on something cute and put on that gorgeous dimple smile and come with us," he said looking down at her with a small smile. "I'll even buy you some ice cream."
"I do like ice cream," Brooke started to smile at the idea. "Clay do you mind?" she looked over at her brother who was watching them, her nervously taking a step back knowing it wasn't smart to stand that close to Lucas. She knew she had a boyfriend and she knew he knew it too and they both knew they weren't going to do anything, it was all just playful but she also knew to everyone around them it looked to be more then it was and she didn't want her brother thinking that.
"No," he finally shook his head. "You should come, get you out of the house."
"Ok," she grinned big liking the idea. "I'll go get dressed real quick," she promised, spinning on her feet and moving towards the stairs. Lucas watching her hips move as she went and had to control himself from licking his lips.
"Stop looking at my sister's ass Luke," Clay warned walking passed him and towards the front door.
"I wasn't," he lied grabbing his phone and slid it back in his pocket.
"Mhmm…" he shook his head not at all believing it. "I'm sure you weren't."
"So you never told me," Bevin sat on her friend's bed, them just heading up to her room. "How did your talk with Ben go?" she asked carefully not even sure if she was allowed to ask.
"It was…honestly it was terrible," she frowned dropping down on her computer chair. "We went from two steps forward to about a million back."
"Ben!" Raine called chasing the blonde out of the gym. "Hey," she grabbed a hold of his arm and turned him around. "What are you doing?"
"I didn't eat lunch. I just… I thought I would grab something before practice," he told her, tossing his thumb over his shoulder towards the empty hall lined with vending machines.
"No… I mean yes ok that's what you are doing but what are you doing?" she repeated and he looked at her confused. "I thought we were having fun. I thought…"
"Raine…" he held his hand up to stop her. "Of course I was having fun. That's the problem," he let out a dry laugh and she looked at him confused.
"Why is that a problem?"
"I can't do that Raine," he told her and she just grew even more confused.
"Do what?"
"That!" he threw his hand up towards the gym. "I can't just laugh and joke around like everything is perfect when I know nothing is perfect, Raine. I can't be playing games and be around you like that."
"I…I don't understand. You don't want to be…around me?"
"Of course I want to be around you Raine but not like that," he shook his head. "Raine I love you. Don't you get that? Don't you understand that? I love you," he repeated each world slowly and her bottom lip trembled. "I can't be your friend. I can't be joking around and laughing knowing that it's just a moment thing and you are quickly going to close up again."
"I thought we were just playing a game," she whispered looking down away from his eyes searching into hers. "I wasn't analyzing it. I just… I thought we were having fun."
"For how long though?" he questioned and she just shook her head. "Raine I want you, I want you back and I want you trusting me again but I can't…I can't keep giving myself false hope it's all going to work out if you aren't sure."
"So what?" she looked at him, tears filling her eyes and anger boiling in her veins. "You're just going to ignore me until I figure out what I want? You aren't even going to try? I'm trying here Ben! I'm trying to let myself be comfortable around you again!"
"And I'm trying to understand that but you act like I don't hurt at all because of this! I lost you Raine," he told her and a sob escaped her. "And I tried for weeks to get you to talk to me and finally I did and you let it happen a day or so before you shove me back again. You let me make love to you," he reminded her, shoving his finger into his chest. "And then ignore me for weeks! And what now I play a game of basketball and let myself fall back into the feeling of having you back for you to go back to ignoring me? Damn it it's like losing you all over again!"
"So what am I supposed to do?" she looked up at him. "What is the way to go about this because I don't know! Every time I see you I tell myself to get over it, to let it go but I can't Ben! I can't because I'm so scared if I let you in that I'm going to get hurt again. Do you have any idea what it's like? Do you know that I go to bed every damn night crying because I'm being pulled in so many different directions that I don't know what way is up anymore. I am in love with you!" she slammed her hands in his chest pushing him back. "I need you here to make things better but I don't want you here because every time I close my eyes I picture you with her! I slept with you and all I thought about was if you touched her the way you touched me, if you kissed her the same or told her things I thought you only tell me and it makes me sick!"
"I love you," he told her, offering a shrug. "And I made a mistake, a terrible mistake that I hate myself for every day but don't you ever do that. Don't you ever compare a moment of being drunk and stupid to any moment I have with you."
"How can I not?" she lets out a dry laugh. "I never even think about being with someone else. My mind doesn't wonder off to this guy here or that one. My body doesn't crave another. You have always been enough for me; so how can I not think I was somehow not enough for you?"
"You are," he slid his fingers through her hair and lifting her head to look at him. "You've always been more than enough for me Raine. And I know I'm not enough for you, I know everyone can give you a million reasons not to be with me but…can't you just ignore them? Can't you just think about what you want?"
"I don't know what I want Ben," she told him seeing the look of pain flash through him. "Because I don't think loving you is enough to fix all this."
"Yeah…" he took a step back shaking his head. "I'm not going to be your friend Raine. And honestly I don't think… I don't think my own heart can handle you not knowing. I know I deserve to hurt in this and I know I deserve to be punished or whatever but trust me…seeing you every day, watching you laugh and joke with people. Watching you walk around the halls with Philip," he spit his name and her head dropped. "I can't do it. Everyone knows what I did Raine, everyone hates me for it and I will take the hate but trust me, no one in this school will hate me as much as I do and no one will ever make me feel worse than I make myself feel. Yet if you want to hurt me, make me feel what you've been feeling, even though I've already been feeling it, then you win," he tossed his hands to the side. "You win Raine," he shook his head, spinning on his feet and walking away from her.
"I didn't mean to do that," Raine picked at her necklace around her neck. "I didn't mean to give him false hope."
"Raine you're my best friend," Bevin told her. "And I know I should have told you because you deserved to know but I thought…I knew he was breaking inside. I mean I walked in on it Raine and it was almost like he didn't even realize what he was doing. He looked so lost an empty and when I slapped him and asked why he just shrugged and said why not. Raine doesn't want me; she doesn't even love me so why does any of it matter. And I swear to god Raine he looked like he was completely lost and was about to break."
"He said that?" her voice cracked and she nodded.
"Yeah and the next morning when he finally sobered up and realized what he did and you called him telling him sorry he just looked at me and told me he didn't know what to do. He couldn't lose you and he…he didn't know what to do or why he did what he did but knew if you found out you would never forgive him."
"I didn't tell him I didn't love him," she told her; sucking on her bottom lip; thinking she could have gone forever not knowing he said that. "We were just fighting and I told him I didn't know how I could possibly love him. I didn't mean it as I didn't love him I just meant that I didn't know how with all the stupid shit he did I still loved him."
"I don't want you hurting anymore then you have Raine. I just…I know you two. You are Ben and Raine," she tossed her hands up a little. "You two are the couple and god Raine he is so in love with you. He would give anything to have you back and I know… I know he wouldn't mess up ever again."
"I know he wouldn't," she nodded very much positive on that. "I just…I put so much into him Bevin, I put everything I had and I don't know. I thought he was perfect," her voice quivered and she looked down. "Yes he had his problems and does stuff I don't like but I just took it as him being an eighteen year old boy and he would soon grow out of it. Yet everything he has done for me has been perfect. And I have always felt so safe when he was holding me but the last time he held me I just…I felt so...unsafe."
"He's human Raine. I hate its hurting you and what he did but he is human Raine. He will make mistakes."
"But this is a huge mistake Bevin. It's not like he forgot to get me a gift for our anniversary or tell me happy birthday. He cheated on me, he slept with someone else. I just don't know what to do," she growled falling back down on her bed. "It's so annoying. Why can't we just rewind?"
"What part would you rewind to? The never meeting him or the fight?"
"I would rewind to the night before the fight," she told her. "It was a perfect night and we laid on the beach and he was just perfect."
"You know what I think?" Ben stroked her hair back as her body rested on top of his.
"What?"
"I think I'm going to marry you," he told her and she let out a laugh.
"You think that, huh?" she ran her fingers across his cheek and he nodded.
"Yeah, I mean I think I kinda like you," he shrugged and she shook her head.
"You think so?"
"Yeah and I think I'm going to make you mine forever one day. Make and honest woman out of you and all that stuff," he waved his hand and she smiled.
"So when will this happen?"
"I haven't decided yet," he told her, sliding his hands to her hips and rested them on her hips. "I thought about us just running to Vegas now but figured you'd say no. But one day I'm going to marry you."
"Well if you marry me are you going to want a baby with me?"
"Do you want a baby?" he asked and she nodded her head quickly. "Then yeah I want a baby. I want a whole house full if that's what you want."
"Well I want four boys and one little girl. I'm sure she will be her daddy's girl but still."
"Well I want her to have your smile."
"Well I want them all to have your eyes," she leaned down kissing each off them. "And I want them to have your dimples," she leaned kissing his cheeks, running a trail to his mouth.
"As long as they are healthy," his arms circled around her and rolled her over on her back. "I will be happy."
"So you're happy with five?"
"I'm happy with how ever many you want. You want five we will have five, you want ten well…well we might talk about that one," he pondered the thought and she giggled. "I just want you happy."
"Well I'm happy with you," her arms lifted to wrap around his neck. "Everything just feels right when I'm with you."
"Because everything is right," he grinned running his thumb along her lower lip and she caught it in her mouth. "But what do you say we start practicing?" he smirked, sliding his hand down her body, slipping it in the back of shorts.
"They do say practice makes perfect," she grinned, leaning up and placing a hot kiss to his neck. "And I know you love to be perfect."
"That I do," he rolled his head back. Raine trailing the line to his lips and latching her mouth onto his. Nipping his bottom lip begging for entrance and loving when he parted them for her tongue to slip inside. Her body pushing against his as his hands ran all over her. She loved having his hands on her, they were so rough against her smooth skin and it made her blood race through her veins. "Mmm…" he hummed against her lips, his hand sliding up to rest on her cheek before he pulled back to breath. Looking at her under him, her probably the most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life. "God I love you," he breathed out heavy, resting his head against hers. "I love you so much, Raine."
"I love you too," she smiled feeling her heart tighten in her chest loving when he said that to her. "And only god knows why," she teased and he chuckled shaking his head.
"Be nice," he ordered, dropping his head to nip her bottom lip. "Or I won't be nice to you."
"Mmm…" she added pressure to his mouth with a grin.
"Raine?" Bevin waved her hand in her friend's face. "Where you at?"
"Way to far back," she frowned closing her eyes. Resisting every urge in her to just pick up the phone and call him.
"What's going on?" Lucas dropped his head down to speak in Brooke's ear and felt her shiver.
"Nothing, I'm trying to watch the game," she shrugged keeping her eyes on the field in front of her. She knew he could read her, she knew he could tell something was wrong and it drove her nuts. She hated he was so good at it, it made for some conversations she didn't want to have.
"Why don't we go get something to drink?" he suggested and she shook her head.
"I'm fine."
"Well I'm not and want a drink, come with me," he slid his hand in hers and gave it a tug and she frowned. She always caved when it came to him.
"We are going to get a drink. You want anything?" Brooke asked her brother who shook his head.
"I'm good, just be careful," he locked his eyes on his little sister who resisted the eye roll she so badly wanted to roll.
"Yeah cause Luke and I are going to do it in the bathroom," she grumbled moving in front of him and to the stairs.
"What?" Lucas looked at her confused.
"Nothing," she mumbled moving passed him and up the steps. "I thought you wanted a drink?" she paused by the line but Lucas shook his head grabbing her hand and pulling her over to a secluded area.
"I want to talk," he spun her around and completely invaded her personally bubble when he stepped forward, his toes bumped into hers. "What's wrong?"
"I told you nothing is wrong Lucas," she repeated pushing her hair back.
"And I told you that's bullshit. So talk to me," he asked but she just looked down. "Pretty Girl," he placed his finger under her chin and lifted it up. "Come on baby girl just tell me what's going on?"
"I don't want to," she mumbled, her eyes dancing around everywhere but landing on him.
"Why?"
"Because it's embarrassing Lucas," she told him, stomping her foot and he chuckled a bit. "It's really not funny," she crossed her arms and he quickly shook his head.
"I know, I'm not laughing at that it's just… I mean it's funny you find something embarrassing where you can't tell me. Brooke there isn't much we don't share," he pointed out.
"I know," she let out an annoyed breath, lifting her shoulders and letting them fall. "But you are the last person I want to talk about this with," she told him and not because of the embarrassing factor because he was right she did tell him everything. It was annoying the fact they shared everything and neither ever really meant too. Just something was happening, they needed to talk to someone they talked to each other. And if they went awhile without seeing each other as soon as they saw each other it came out, they found some place to talk and talked. Every time. Like this stupid time.
"Why? Because it's about Nick?" he questioned not getting it. Wouldn't be the first time they talked about him.
"No, I mean yes but it's…" she trailed off looking down and his brows scrunched together confused. Brooke just nervously fiddling with her hands as her eyes roamed around and felt when it all clicked with Lucas. His body tensing and pulling back and his normal almost squinty look widening in understanding.
"Oh…"
"I don't want too…" she played with her hands looking down. "I mean…I care about him but I'm not…I don't think…."
"Brooke…" he took a step forward, letting himself ignore the feeling in him by that little bit of info and focusing on Brooke and her feelings. "Come on talk to me. What are you thinking?"
"Nick wants me to go away with him for spring break. Which I know will be fun but I know what he is wanting to happen. He has been hinting at it and trying it for awhile."
"And you don't want too?"
"I don't want to lose him," she told him honestly. "But I know when you are ready you just feel it, you can't explain it but you feel it and I've only felt it being right a few times and it was never with Nick," she told him and saw him give a nod knowing what she was talking about, who she was talking about.
"Brooke you never have to do anything you don't want to do. And if he is pressuring it and making you feel you have to do it or he will leave he isn't right for you. And I swear I find out he pressured it and I will take care of him," he threatened and she shook her head.
"Calm down Broody," she took his hands in hers and pulled him a step closer. "I know you will always protect me, but it's not really pressure. I mean not really. I just don't get it."
"Get what?" he brought their hands that were still locked together to move her hair from her face. "What don't you get?"
"He is my boyfriend Luke, he is supposed to make me comfortable and let me know when I'm ready he is ready. He isn't really like that. Yet with you," she tilted her head to look at him and he dropped his a little. "You make me relaxed and comfortable and that's why if the moment ever came up I wouldn't say no. Because you wouldn't be letting it get that far if you thought I wasn't sure with my decision. It shouldn't be like that, my boyfriend should be like that not my best friend."
"I'm your best friend?" he grinned. "I've moved up above Haley?"
"You know what I feel for you Luke," she frowned a little and he nodded.
"I know," he brought his arms around her and pulled her into a hug. "You're my best friend too. Just in case you didn't know."
"I had an idea," she laughed a little, circling her arms around his waist.
"Don't do it," he whispered. "If it doesn't feel right just don't do it. And if he gets mad about it, I don't care if you are down the street or in damn South Africa just call me. I'll get there as fast as I can."
"You don't always answer," she pointed out with a dry laugh and he shook his head.
"Call me Pretty Girl, I'm always going to be there," he kissed the top of her head.
"You don't like Nick do you?" she pulled her head off his chest to look at him.
"He isn't my favorite person but it's not my business who you date," he told her. "I just want you to be safe," he told her not at all getting why someone wouldn't want the same. He was crazy about Brooke he would admit it, the world he was sure knew it but it didn't change he wasn't in a place to be with her. He needed to be right; he needed to be in a place where Brooke was proud of him, that wasn't now.
"I know," she picked at his shirt. "But you still give your little side comments which I always catch," she smirked and he chuckled.
"Oh I don't care so much," he waved his hand, sliding his arm over her shoulder and turning her back to the stands. "No one else catches them. Plus what do I care if he catches them? He knows you two aren't forever."
"And how do you know that? We might fall madly in love and marry and have children," she teased and he let out a laugh.
"As if, you know that's not going to happen as does he," he shrugged. "Because everyone knows we are getting married."
"Oh we are huh?" she kinked a brow and he loves the little dimple that appeared on her cheek.
"Obviously," he stopped her at the top of the stairs to have her look at her. "You just wait Brooke Davis. One day in the future you and I in that big old church thing with you in white, you my gorgeous girl are going to spend the rest of your life with me. So have some crazy fun and do what you must until about the age of…probably twenty five," he decided on and she shook her head.
"You're not going to get your shit together until I'm twenty five?"
"Give or take," he flapped his hand at her.
"Good to know," she leaned up on her toes to press a kiss to his cheek. "You're the best Luke you know that?"
"I'm not," he suddenly turned serious and she shook her head.
"You are Broody, and I know that. And one day…it might not be until I'm annoyingly twenty five but one day you are going to realize it too," she patted his chest. "But I really hope it's before I'm that old."
"Yeah," he let out a dry laugh, watching as she walked down the steps to her seat. "Me too baby girl, me too."
I don't feel guilty updating this story so much quicker than my others. Nope, nope because I can't help it! I'm sorry! I know you all like my others but I like this one so much I can't help it!
P.s. Mommy said thank you for being nicer to her loveable jackass. I think he will start to grow on you all very very soon!
I honestly think you will all feel almost bad for him being as I do. Poor guy never thought he was enough and took him way too long to realize he was.
Oh also to clear confusion! If it's Raine its present life, Brooke, Lucas it's the past. Or the story being told. Also the story will do a lot of moving fast almost. Every time the story is talked about it will tell you how much time has passed but rarely will it be like the next day. Most the time a few weeks or months have passed but sometimes not!
But hope you enjoyed! Any questions ask and please review!
